Make the cherry filling: Whisk the sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and cherries in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until the syrup is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, approximately 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Pour the filling into the baking dish.

Make the cobbler topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and kosher salt. Add the chilled butter, and using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients, mixing until there are no pieces of butter larger than the size of a pea. Add the milk and use a fork to gently stir the mixture until a lumpy dough forms. Do not over mix.

Using your hands, spread the cobbler topping to cover the cherry filling. Sprinkle the pearl sugar over the dough topping.

Place the baking dish into the oven, and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the cherry mixture is bubbling and the cobbler topping is golden brown.

Remove from the oven. Allow cherry cobbler crumble to sit for at least 10 minutes.

Serve with a scoop of ice cream and top with a sprig of chocolate mint.

Author’s Notes

In the kitchenCornstarch can clump up if added directly to heat. Be sure to mix the cornstarch/sugar/cinnamon mixture with a few tablespoons of cold water or cherry juice to create a slurry before adding to the cold pan. Allow it to heat up to medium heat until the slurry starts simmering. Then add the cherries and simmer until thickened.

In the classroomAnnalise is albino and visually impaired, which is why light hurts her eyes and why using a hat becomes such an important thing in her story. According to Health Research Funding.org, albinism is a genetic mutation that affects about 1 out of every 17,000 people on the planet today. It is typically characterized by the lack of pigment that gives color to the skin, hair and eyes. The most common issue of albinism is the lack of pigmentation in the eye which creates a great sensitivity to light, a diminished sharpness in what is seen, and sometimes uncontrollable eye movements.

In lifeThe main character was inspired by one of my good friends, who happens to be albino. She works at an eye clinic helping people adapt to their visual disabilities to live rich lives and follow their dreams. I have been in awe of how she is simultaneously vulnerable, yet indestructible and has a heart full of compassion for others. I am honored that she has given me permission to name my character after her. Thank you Anna!